EFFECT OF ETHANOL AND BROMAZEPAM ON MONOAMINE OXIDASE ACTIVITY IN RAT BRAIN

Abstract

The effect of ethanol and bromazepam on monoamine oxidase activity in rat brain was studied. Rats were fed chow with water ad libitum, and administered 5% (v/v) ethanol (acute and chronic) and 0.1mg bromazepam per 100g body weight for 14 days. The rats were sacrificed by decapitation, after starving them overnight on the 15th day, and their brains were quickly excised. The mitochondrial fraction of the brain tissues was isolated and the activity of monoamine oxidase determined. Brain serotonin and protein of the rats were also determined. Results indicate that ethanol and bromazepam inhibits monoamine oxidase activity in varying degrees in rat brain. Our data showed that the inhibition varies from mild as in bromazepam injected rats to strong inhibition (in chronic ethanol treated rats) of the monoamine oxidase activity in the brain. Results of this study are significant in the administration of these drugs for treatment of disorders, such as depression associated with neurotransmitter regulation by monoamine oxidase in the brain.